Corrections Department looks to toughen prison cell phone rules

The Iowa Department of Corrections wants the legislature to crack down on cell phones in the state’s prisons. It’s already against Iowa prison policy for an inmate to possess a cell phone, but the department has pre-filed legislation to make it a criminal act. Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta says the change would bring Iowa in line with other prison systems nationwide.

“Most states around the country already have laws that make a cell phone in prison as illegal contraband,” Scaletta says. “Right now, they are considered contraband but it’s just a policy and rule violation issue.” He says the department wants to avoid problems other states have had with inmates using electronic devices for ongoing criminal activity.

“It has been a problem for some of them and it’s a prevention measure on our part,” he says. “We want it as a deterrent so we can have the process in place so we can follow through with a criminal act.” Since mobile phones have become common, Scaletta says there have been only three instances of reprimands for Iowa prisoners for contraband cell phones.